Wrap it up Thursday - On the Road Part II

Here is a little collage of some of the decorating I did for Helana's birthday down south this year, a few weeks ago.  As you may recall, my plan was to have a packed up birthday in a box, to make things easier.  I always forget how hard it is to find things down in the Keys and truth be told, I share my birthday with Helana and sometimes I find myself stressing and running around the whole day.  My plan was to try and enjoy it as much as I could, but really, I stopped celebrating my birthday years ago - it really is about making her day special.

I did bring some tissue for the flower poms and then I came up with making some medallion style flowers with heavy kraft paper my dad had in the garage. (you can see a rough idea of how I made those flowers when I did some for grad last year)

 I think it looked rather sweet but, it was a hassle trying to get everything to stay in place.  Next year, I am following the plan below.

Here is a board of what I can easily order on-line and have ready to go.  (The local party store will blow up the globe balloons I hope)

Tissue Flowers - (Pom Love - etsy)  - 5 in krafts, creams and pinks - 18.00

Balloons - large globes (Shop Sweet Lulu) - 5 in creams and pinks - 25.00

Pink Striped Cups - (Shop Sweet Lulu) - 7.00

Striped Straws (Shop Sweet Lulu) - 4.00

Painted Wooden Spoons  (Shop Sweet Lulu) - 8.00

Striped Paper Kraft Bags - (Shop Sweet Lulu) - 7.00

Cake Banner ( Tuck & Bonte - etsy) - 30.00

Optional fabric banner (Tuck & Bonte) - 45.00

Total - $99 (about $150 with fabric banner)

(note: I show the divine twine in bubblegum pink from Shop Sweet Lulu but I already have some so that is not in my total here  (1 large roll is $15)

So, for just a little over $100 (to include shipping) I can decorate and serve up goodies, for both our birthdays, with ease and anticipation.  I think for peace of mind and the ability to take something off my to-do list, this is the route I am going to go for next year.  In fact, I might have enough supplies for two years.  I might make a cake like I did the other day but if I can find something special (maybe William Sonoma) I can dress up something we would all like with the beautiful banner from Tuck & Bonte.

This was a paper banner I made last minute from extra tissue and kraft paper.  I cut out various sized flower shapes from pink tissue to create a flower for the candle.  This was a cake from the local grocery store (It was cookies and cream and Helana loved it ... I know ... store bought ... how could I !!??)

That little banner made the cake seem special and it also meant that we could enjoy our time out on the water on a jet ski and hanging on the beach, rather than slaving away in a hot kitchen.  Hopefully she isn't too scarred by this - store-bought concoction...she seemed to be just fine :)